Phelsuma edwardnewtoni
Distribution
Phelsuma edwardnewtoni was endemic to Rodrigues and its offshore islands, Mascarene islands. Now probably extinct. The species has last been found on the main island around the 1870s, but has still been observed on the offshore island Île Frégate in 1917. Various searches in the 60s, early 70s by Vinsson and the 90s by Reuthe and Van Heygen on all the offshore islands and the mainland failed. Early explorers describe the animal as being quite common, but now has not been sighted since 1917. Today, only 6 preserved specimens remain, three of which are in The Natural History Museum in London, two in the Paris Museum and one in a private collection.
Terra Typica
Rodrigues Island
Biotope
Phelsuma edwardnewtoni has been associated with the native palm forests of Rodrigues (Lataniers) in the coastal areas. Their habitat has been largely destroyed by humans and introduced animals such as cats, rats and goats, which may have been the main cause of their extinction.
Description
Phelsuma edwardnewtoni belonged to the largest day geckos and a total length of about 23 cm. Early explorers describe the animal as being quite common, but now has not been sighted since 1917. The specimens have been preserved in alcohol and show a thick-bodied, robust Phelsuma. Reports from the 17th century mention a bright green colouration with bright blue spots on the back, the underside of the tail was whitish yellow and the chin had a deep yellow colour. That the geckos, like most phelsuma species, could change colour rapidly was also noted.
